Mayor of Allentown 1880 - 1884.

Dr. Edwin G. Martin was the second son of Dr. Charles H. Martin and M. Angeline Goundie, daughter of Sebastian Goundie, a prominent member of the Moravian settlement of Bethlehem. Pa. He was born Oct. 3. 1836, in Allentown, Pa., and received his scholastic training at the Allentown Academy under the instruction of Profs., McClenehan, Chandler and Gregory. He chose for his life work the profession in which various members of the family had attained distinction, that of medicine, and first prosecuted his studies in the office of his father. Later he became a student of the medical department of the University of PA, from which he graduated in the spring of 1856. He at once became associated with his father, to whose practice he succeeded at his death. Since that time he was actively engaged in professional labor and had an extensive general practice. He was a man of untiring industry, of unswerving integrity, and active and liberal in the encouragement of all projects looking to the material advancement and prosperity of the city of his residence. His professional duties were pursued with a kindly charity and benevolence which left their impress and marked him, as a benefactor to the needy and humble. He was a member of the Lehigh Medical Society and of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. He manifested a commendable zeal in the furtherance of all educational enterprise; was one of the-founders, and since its organization had been secretary of the board of trustees of the Allentown Female College; a trustee and secretary of the board-of management of the hospital for the insane for the eastern district of Pennsylvania; was a member and first vice president of the Lehigh Valley Medical Association. The material and business interests of Allentown also received from him a decided impulse as trustee and secretary of the Jordan Manufacturing Company, as a stockholder of the Coopersburg Turnpike Company, the Bethlehem Turnpike Company, and the Lehigh Telegraph Company, and was one of the organizers and was made the first president of the Lehigh Valley Trust Company, holding that position for a number of years. Was a director of the Allentown National Bank, arid president of the Board of Trade. He was, during the War of '61', appointed surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, and mustered into service for the emergency. Also held the commission of surgeon of the 4th Regt. of National Guards of Pennsylvania. As a Democrat, Dr. Martin was elected mayor of Allentown, Pa. in 1880. His efficient administration insured his re-election in 1882. Was one term a coroner. Was an enthusiastic Mason; was deputy commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the state; then later, elected to the high office of grand commander of the same body. In religion, a Lutheran, a member of St. John's English Lutheran church of Allentown died at his home in Allentown, Oct. 4,1893. Dr. Marlin was married, Aug. 29, 1861, to Miss Fannies S., born July 23, 1838, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Huntzinger Balliet, of Lehigh County.


Dr Edwin G. Martin was elected Mayor twice. He was chosen in i880 by a vote of 1684 to 1578 for Frederick A. Ruhe and 11 for W. Berkemeyer. He was re-elected in i882, when he received 1899 votes to I 783 for Lewis F. Schmidt. Dr. Martin was born October 3, 1836, and died August 30, I893. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1856 and besides the active practice of medicine he was prominent in many local enterprises. He was coroner from i86o to i862. In x863 he was surgeon of the 27th Regt. and later was surgeon of the 4th Regt., N. G. Pa. He was the first President of the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Co. and served from the time of its organization in x886 to his death. He was President of the Board of Trade, a Trustee of Muhlenberg College, a trustee of the Allentown College for Women, one of the first trustees and the first secretary of the Board of the State Insane Asylum at Norristown, was a Prison Inspector and a founder of the Livingston Club. He conducted a drug store, was in the Jordan Manufacturing Co., Allentown and Coopersburg Turnpike Co., Allentown and Bethlehem Turnpike Co., Lehigh Telegraph Co., was a director of the Allentown National Bank, was a founder of the Free Library Association and was at one time, President of the former Washington Fire Co. He was a member of the County,Valley and State Medical Societies and was the first President of the Lehigh Valley Society. During Dr. Martin's incumbency the Adelaide Silk Mill was secured for this city, which marked a new era in the city's industrial development. . Dr. Martin was the only Allentonian ever elected Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Pennsylvania.